jazz guitarist in a band- tips and tricks

[rafapak]

hi guys

I read many posts in which people explain how guitarists should 'behave' while playing with a jazz band . I read that low registers should be avoided and three or four string chords should be played e.t.c. Do you know any books that teach you all those tricks and tips in relation to playing guitar with other instruments in a jazz band?

any comments will be highly appreciated

[bkdavidson]

By 'jazz band' do you mean a big band or a combo? If it's big band guitar playing you're asking about, get this book: Amazon.com: Swing and Big Band Guitar: Four-To-The Bar Comping in the Style of Freddie Green (0073999951479): JOHNSON: Books To give you an answer you can use now if it's big band swing, you actually want to hang out in the lower register. Play the chords in root position, with the root on the low E or A string, and play the 3rd and 7th (or 6th) on the D & G strings. As far as other 'behaviors,' don't play very loud but at the same time don't play with dynamics; just keep the quarter note pulse going. Keep the chords a little detached. Not necessarily choppy, just some space.

For styles other than traditional swing or combo playing, the best advice I can offer is stay out of the pianist's way. This is where you would avoid lower registers and play smaller chords, and just less in general. You can also voice-lead more and use more extensions. For this stuff, when you're unsure as to what to do, don't do anything. Less is more. Your playing will sound 'tasty' and as you get more comfortable, you can add more.

[rafapak]

thanks davidson

[Bloomworks]

I played in a big band with no piano for 15 years, it was great. I played chords mostly on the top 4 strings and middle 4 strings. Also when I play with a quartet it's a similar choice of string sets. However, in the big band, when they decided to get a piano player, this guy left me no space. I tried all different things to make it work, but the only thing left was the Freddie Green style of comping all quarter notes.

After 15 years of total freedom it was too boring for me to revert back that far to that style. So, I had to leave. I wasn't angry, I was bored.

In any case, in 25 years of gigging here in NYC I've found only a handful of pianists that left space for me to do anything. Also, rarely do they alternate with the guitarist on solos. One good thing is that, usually, bandleaders aren't going to pay two chordal instruments so I'm never in a band with piano. In that case the guitarist has more freedom to lay down the harmonic background.

But, as with anything, the main thing is to not clash with whatever's going on, be a team player, listen, and put the music first. If that means lay out then I'll do that, even if it's not what I would like to do. I always put the sound of the band first.

Good luck!

[derek]

You don't define what you mean by a "jazz band", but you can check out Oscar Peterson recordings. Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis and Joe Pass all played with OP. Also, Jim Hall is probably the best I have heard when it comes to being tasteful, playing with a piano. His recordings with Bill Evans and a recent recording, Free Association, with Geoffery Keezer is really good. I saw those two about 3 years ago, was just wonderful.

[Reg]

Originally Posted by Bloomworks

I played in a big band with no piano for 15 years, it was great. I played chords mostly on the top 4 strings and middle 4 strings. Also when I play with a quartet it's a similar choice of string sets. However, in the big band, when they decided to get a piano player, this guy left me no space. I tried all different things to make it work, but the only thing left was the Freddie Green style of comping all quarter notes.

After 15 years of total freedom it was too boring for me to revert back that far to that style. So, I had to leave. I wasn't angry, I was bored.

In any case, in 25 years of gigging here in NYC I've found only a handful of pianists that left space for me to do anything. Also, rarely do they alternate with the guitarist on solos. One good thing is that, usually, bandleaders aren't going to pay two chordal instruments so I'm never in a band with piano. In that case the guitarist has more freedom to lay down the harmonic background.

But, as with anything, the main thing is to not clash with whatever's going on, be a team player, listen, and put the music first. If that means lay out then I'll do that, even if it's not what I would like to do. I always put the sound of the band first.

Good luck!

Great Post.... Sound of the band first...Amend Reg